As we work to bring even more value to our audience, we’ve made important changes for those who receive Ad Age with our compliments. As of November 15, 2016 we will no longer be offering full digital access to AdAge.com. However, we will continue to send you our industry-leading print issues focused on providing you with what you need to know to succeed.

If you’d like to continue your unlimited access to AdAge.com, we invite you to become a paid subscriber. Get the news, insights and tools that help you stay on top of what’s next.

LATE NEWS

Published on October 06, 1997.

O&M CREATIVE HAMILTON TAKING 6-MONTH LEAVE

[new york] Bill Hamilton has taken a leave of absence as exec VP and joint creative head of Ogilvy & Mather, New York, leaving Rick Boyko as sole creative head. Mr. Hamilton will be gone for six months to handle "significant family issues," according to a spokeswoman. Mr. Hamilton's absence comes at a time when Mr. Boyko is said to be under consideration for a promotion.

BANK OF AMERICA READIES $60 MIL CAMPAIGN

[san francisco] Bank of America is expected to break an estimated $60 million branding campaign today. The multimedia effort includes seven 15-second b&w spots that show people at different stages in life. There are multiple taglines. The campaign, aimed both at consumers and businesses, is handled by Deutsch, New York and Santa Monica, Calif. GSD&M, Austin, Texas, handles the broadcast buying assignment.

[ann arbor, mich.] Domino's Pizza will launch a new $10 million image campaign Oct. 20 in a third of its markets-expanding chainwide Nov. 10-with two TV spots from Campbell Mithun Esty, Minneapolis, that will run through mid-December. A Domino's spokesman said the ads focus on existing product with more of a human touch. J. Walter Thompson USA, Detroit, handles media.

[cypress, calif.] Mitsubishi Motor Sales of America will invite its current five dealer association agencies and unnamed others to pitch the regional accounts, with total billings between $65 million and $80 million. Zimmerman & Partners, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has nine of the 15 regions, which should grow to 40 under new Mitsubishi management. A decision is expected by December.

LEAP TO ALTER STRUCTURE, MANAGEMENT OF OFFICES

[chicago] Leap Partnership will shift to a branch office structure centered around its headquarters here from a series of satellite shops, said an executive familiar with the agency. The Los Angeles shop was said to be closing, but Leap executives denied that, saying only three of 11 staffers were laid off after the loss of the office's first client-the estimated $7 million Los Angeles Department of Water & Power account. Thomas Sharbaugh, president of the Chicago office, said he will spend more time helping run the Los Angeles office.

WEIGHT WATCHERS DINNERS GO IN REVIEW

[boise, idaho] H.J. Heinz Co. is reviewing agencies for its Weight Watchers frozen dinners account, estimated at $8 million to $10 million. A decision is expected by the end of this month. Lowe & Partners/SMS, New York, which had been handling the account on a project basis, is not participating.

HP PICKS SAATCHI FOR $20 MIL AD ASSIGNMENT

[palo alto, calif.] Hewlett-Packard Co. named roster agency Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising, San Francisco, to handle the $20 million account of a new Computer Marketing Organization. The unit will break a global branding campaign for the business market early next year.

'CONTENT'S' DIRECT MAIL EXCEEDS PROJECTIONS; PRINT RUN INCREASED

[new york] Steve Brill is moving on with plans for his new publication on the media, Content. While he is still finalizing plans with potential investors, distributors and editors, and on the hunt for a publisher, Content's direct mail drop performed better than expected, Mr. Brill said, garnering a 5% return. "Our target was 3.5%," he said; due to that response, plans to distribute 175,000 copies have been increased to 250,000.

HAVAS CONFIRMS NEGOTIATIONS WITH U.S. AGENCY GROUPS

[paris] Havas Advertising last week confirmed talks with U.S. agency groups. Alain de Pouzilhac, chairman of Havas Advertising, said negotiations continue to progress, but did not name agencies. Industry speculation is they are Young & Rubicam and Grey Advertising, both New York, and Leo Burnett Co., Chicago.

BUNNY BACK, BUT FACING PERILS IN NEW $30 MIL CAMPAIGN

[st. louis, mo.]The Energizer Bunny enters a series of perilous situations in a new campaign from TBWA Chiat/Day, Venice, Calif. Spending is estimated at $25 million to $30 million.

F.Y.I.

Phelps Group, a $29 million shop, bought Cohen/Johnson. Both are based in Los Angeles. Howie Cohen will become chief creative officer; Mark Johnson will be VP-strategic marketing, new positions at Phelps. . . . Frito-Lay is believed to have signed "Spin City" star Michael J. Fox to take the lead role in a campaign for Lay's potato chips, via DDB Needham Worldwide, New York. . . . Brenda Scarbrough to associate media director-U.S., Nike, Beaverton, Ore., from executive director of media, Universal Pictures. . . . Dexter Shoe Co., West Newton, Mass., has placed its account, estimated at under $5 million, in review. Pagano Schenck & Kay, Boston, is the incumbent. . . . Perianne Grignon to exec VP-director of media and new technologies, Bates North America, New York, a new position, from media director-marketing communications, AT&T Corp., Basking Ridge, N.J. . . . Edison International decided to stay with Grey Advertising, Los Angeles, agency of 30 years on the $15 million to $20 million account, following a pitch against Dailey & Associates and DavisElen, both Los Angeles,